Charity Partner

Breadcrumb

BADA Fair 2019

Charity Partner 2019

“Cancer hits you like a punch in the stomach. Few people hear anything much the doctor says after the word ‘cancer’. Fear, compounded by ignorance and false knowledge, is a paralysing attack in its own right.” Maggie Keswick Jencks, founder

Twenty five years ago, Maggie Keswick Jencks was told that her breast cancer had returned and that she had three months to live. Through her personal experience, she came to realise there was no provision to help people with cancer, face the ongoing emotional, psychological and physical impact of a cancer diagnosis. Maggie believed that people needed information to allow them to become an active participant in their medical treatment, needed stress-reducing strategies, psychological support and the opportunity to meet other people in similar circumstances in a relaxed atmosphere with a connection to the outside world.

With the help of her husband Charles and her medical team, Maggie created the blueprint for the very first Maggie’s Centre that opened in Edinburgh in 1996. Sadly though Maggie died the year before in 1995, however, her idea lived on, with Maggie’s becoming a national charity that has now been supporting people living with cancer for over 20 years. As Maggie said, “Above all what matters is not to lose the joy of living in the fear of dying.”

Maggie’s currently has 22 centres across the UK and abroad, including three in London – the most recent being the Maggie’s Barts Centre which opened in December 2017. Next year, Maggie’s at The Royal Marsden will open and will allow Maggie’s to extend its support even further across London.

Last year our Centre’s received almost 220,000 visits, 45,000 of which were visiting for the first time. However, with an estimated 2.5 million people living with cancer, Maggie’s evidence-based programme of support and welcoming, specially designed centres, has never been more vital to ensure that people can live their life to the full - no matter what their situation.

Maggie’s will be hosting a Secret Garden Party at BADA that will take place on Thursday 21 March 2019. Among Maggie’s beliefs about cancer treatment, was the importance of environment to a person dealing with cancer. Maggie’s centres offer visitors carefully considered outdoor spaces, gardens and views which contribute to the overall healing environment. Maggie’s is delighted to be bringing elements from these gardens to the Secret Garden Party at BADA for a truly unforgettable evening.

Proceeds from this event will go towards opening the doors of our latest Maggie’s centre at the Royal Marsden, Sutton. The Royal Marsden treats over 50,000 patients a year, in both its hospitals in Chelsea and Sutton, and the new centre will allow us to extend its support even further across London.

Tickets for Maggie’s Secret Garden Party at BADA are available now and can be purchased by calling 0207 386 3556 or emailing rsvp@maggiescentres.org.